Resources

Learning Differences, Distinctions, Disabilities

With support at home, early identification, and data-use to direct instruction kids with learning differences can succeed at learning!

Schools often deliver information and knowledge one way, making it hard on students that learn differently. This is changing with the advent of technology, assessments, flipped classrooms, etc., but not soon enough for most students with distinctions. It is important to look to the findings of neuroscience: each student is a unique and distinct learner. Today's educational system, for the most part, has not properly prepared classroom teacher with professional knowledge, tools, and implementation skill support needed to succeed instructing diverse student learning styles.

The goal of the Coletti/Haan Foundation for Children is to provide the scientific evidence on the importance screening, assessments, and differentiated, tier, evidenced-based instruction in general education classrooms. The goal is to identify children with learning differences and those at-risk for reading failure before they begin the first grade and provide them with support before the system grinds them down, before they lose their self-esteem, and before they lose their desire to learn. The National Center for Learning Disabilities is an excellent source for parents and teachers that you may wish to consult: www.ncld.org

As a parent, teacher or caregiver, you can greatly help your children. Although, all children are different, there are behavior patterns that manifest themselves more predominately in children with learning differences. We have listed some very common behavioral traits that will serve as red flags for parents and teachers. Use the checklist designed for pre-school children, to help identify your child's strengths and weaknesses. If several areas are difficult for your child, we ask you to seek professional assistance.

The goal of the HAANFOUNDATIONFORCHILDREN is to
identify children with learning differences and those at-risk for reading
failure before they begin the first grade; before the system grinds them
down; before they lose their self-esteem and desire to learn.

As a parent, teacher or caregiver, you can greatly help accomplish this
goal. Although, all children are different, there are behavior patterns
that manifest themselves more predominately in children with learning
differences. We have listed some very common behavioral traits that will
serve as red-flags for parents and teachers.

Use the checklist below, designed for pre-school children, to help indentify
your child's strengths and weaknesses. If several areas are difficult
for your child, we ask you to seek professional assistance.

Language

1.

Can repeat nursery
rhymes

Yes
No

2.

Will pick up a book
on his or her own during free play

Yes
No

3.

Understands questions
that are asked

Yes
No

4.

Can follow directions
in sequence

Yes
No

5.

Can hear and repeat
the differences in sounds

Yes
No

6.

Knows the colors and
can identify them quickly

Yes
No

7.

Knows letters and can
identify them quickly

Yes
No

8.

Can sound out simple
words

Yes
No

9.

Can tell a story or
relate an experience

Yes
No

Ability to Focus

1.

Can wait for something
without frustration

Yes
No

2.

Can complete a project
and sit still for a story

Yes
No

3.

Will carry out request

Yes
No

4.

Takes a moment to think
about actions

Yes
No

5.

Can focus without distractibility
to complete a task

Yes
No

Ability to Remember Information

1.

Can remember events

Yes
No

2.

Can remember people's
names and the names of places

Yes
No

3.

Can remember numbers
and number concepts

Yes
No

Social Skills

1.

Can make and keep
friends

Yes
No

2.

Shows ability to tolerate
and accept rules

Yes
No

3.

Can accept changes
in routine

Yes
No

4.

Can work cooperatively
in a group

Yes
No

5.

Demonstrates good sportsmanship
with peers

Yes
No

6.

Can control frustration
without outbursts

Yes
No

Motor Skill Development

1.

Can walk, run and
climb without difficulty

Yes
No

2.

Can dress themselves

Yes
No

3.

Can draw, write letters
and cut paper objects

Yes
No

4.

Can play age-appropriate
games

Yes
No

If your child is having difficulty with more than three of these tasks,
please discuss the potential of learning differences with the child's
pre-school or kindergarten teacher and pediatrician. Don't hesitate to
seek assessment if progress is delayed or slow. The more quickly you can
identify and provide instruction for a child, the more quickly they will
soar to reach their potential!

A report, commissioned by our partners at the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, speaks directly to the importance of dyslexia and LD students' need to master reading by third grade About 2.4 million children and youth in the United States have been diagnosed with learning disabilities (LD). Unfortunately, many fail repeatedly in school before their needs are diagnosed and addressed.

LDs affect how a person processes information taken in through the senses. LDs specifically refer to a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to obtain, remember, recall, understand, organize or use information that is presented to them.

This book contains everything necessary for establishing effective IEP meetings. The former President of the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education, Chuck Noe, M.A., acknowledges this and says, "Martin's ideas work…" and he recommends this book to "anyone wanting to strengthen the quality of meetings and outcomes." The book targets the needs of administrators, teachers, resource professionals, and parents. It is a skills-based book that will help these groups to design, review, and modify IEPs for children with special education needs. Author: Nicholas Martin, M.A.

A Special Education: One Family's Journey Through the Maze of Learning Disabilities

The celebrated designer and author, Dana Buchman, knew almost nothing about "learning differences" when her daughter, Charlotte, was diagnosed with disabilities as a toddler. She soon discovered that the hard work and determination that had taken her from the Ivy League to her own fashion label wouldn't be enough to deal with Charlotte's disabilities; she would have to acquire a new skill set - to be able to see Charlotte as a person with unique abilities. A moving mother-daughter story, A Special Education is an inspiring account of one mother's journey to acceptance and understanding, as well as a family's triumph over daunting circumstances.